Driving mechanism for operating devices.



S. E. SCHROEDER & C. W. BIRD.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR OPERATING DEVICES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19 I914.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

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Wzrzvsssssn S. E. SCHROEDER & C. W. BIRD.

nmvme MECHANISM FOR OPERATING DEVICES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19. 19M. Patented Dec. 24,1918.

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' I/vv NTORS BY %r'n UNITE ddldiifid FATE? FEQ.

SIMON E. SCHROEDER AND CHARLES W. BIRD, OF MINIER. ILLINOIS.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR- OPERATING DEVICES.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that we, SIMON E. Scrrnonnnn and CHARLES W. BIRD, citizens of the United States, residing at Minier, in the county of Tazewell and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Operating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to driving mechanism for operating devices and support therefor.

Our invention has particular application to combined washing and wringing devices, but as here presented has special relation to the positioning of the wringer relative to containers used in connection with doing of a family washing.

Our invention consists of driving parts applied to operate a wringer mechanism interchangeably in difierent locations relative to containers in different positions upon a supporting frame. Said driving connections being associated with independent wringer supports, but having a common driving means.

The invention also comprehends connections such that the wringer in its different placements may be driven in reverse directions under the control of the operator, or maybe-rendered inoperative by a certain manipulation of operating parts.

Our invention embraces organized parts effective for carrying out complete washing functions, and' to details more or less important which will be referred to in connection with the technical description following:

Referring to drawings,

Figure l is a plan view of the washing machine showing our improvements applied;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end view with parts broken away to show detailed parts;

Fig. 4: is an opposite end view'from that shown in Fig. 3, with parts broken away to show detailed connections and parts;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 40-11: of Fig. 1, however omitting certain structural parts above the platform support;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view in art of a wringer and driven member, the supporting member parts being sectioned to show the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. as; 1918.

Application filed August 19, 1914. Serial No. 857,613.

manner of connecting the wringer to the driven member;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line yy of Fig. 1, certain structural parts above and below the platform'beingomitted; and

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional. view showing connections for effecting the driving of the wringer and the reversal of the movement thereof.

Our knowledge of the art relatin to the subject to which this invention is directed advises us that it is common in the'patent and in the practical art to associate a wringer in close connection with an agitator tub for convenience of work, and also to establish a common driving connection for both driven elements; also that reversing means for the-wringer elements are old; and likewise it is old to associate the wringer with the agitator receptacle and a main support in such a manner that the wringer may be moved in different positions relative to said support and agitator receptacle.

lypes of machines of the class above noted are exemplified in structures where a wringer is mounted upon the agitator tub, and a common driving connection is provided for both the agitator tub and'the wringer, and including a reversing arrangement for the latter; and similar machines, with the wringer supported in a manner to permit it to be swung around horizontally from a pivoted support. Machines of what is known as the platform type, wherein the Wringer is moved lengthwise upon a frame support for the working parts of the machine, including common driving connections for the agitator devices and the wringer, means for reversing the wringer and means for operating the wringer at determined spaced positions, and those in which the wringer is slidable upon a square driving shaft and may be driven in any position of placement; and also we have knowledge of machines comprehending the association of the agitating means and tub and the wringer under'similar driving connections and. relations as above noted, that distinguish itfrom the others in that the wringer supporting frame; is mounted across the machine and pivoted in a manner to permit the frame and the wringer support thereon to be swung from the; tub to a definite -Tl1lS:- dolly is designed to be operated through driving connections from the power shaft 4, but as these connected working parts do not constitute any part of our present invention, they are not herein pointed out particularly.

Two wringer supports are provided, which are suitably spaced apart to meet the functions and theory of use comprehended herein. Support 4? is mounted directly upon, and at one side of the tub, but in such position as'to in no way interfere with the raising of the lid of the latter; the other support comprises uprights 5, and spaced the width of the machine frame across the top supporting cross frame piece 6.

Open seats or brackets as 7 and 8 are provided respectively for wringer supporting parts 6 and 4 The wringer is designed to be removably associated with both supports named, and to be driven in its different positions. The driven connection for the wringer in its different positions comprises the drive shaft el, adapted to be driven in a continuous direction from a belt pulley as 9, suitably connected with power, or from an electric motor directly associated with the frame support; the counter-shaft 10 extending longitudinally on the platform connected to be driven from shaft 4 by means of spur gears 11 and 12 respectively, fixed upon shafts t and 10; shaft 13 in axial alinement with shaft 10, and the ends of each being substantially in contact; Verticalshafts 1i and 15 extending respectively to the supports 1* and 6, and each provided with collars as a fixed at the upper ends thereof, said collar being squared interiorly and protruding through openings in said supports, and supported in such relation therewith as to adapt them for connection with the Wringer or a connecting part thereof; gear parts for efiecting the driving and reversing of shafts 14 and 15, comprising bevel gear 16 normally loose on shaft 10, bevel gear 17 fixed on shaft 14:, bevel gear 18 fixed on shaft 13, bevel gear 19 fixed on shaft 13, and bevel gear 20-fixed on shaft 15.

The particular mechanism for accomplishing the driving of shafts 14. and 15. and for eas es reversing the movement of said shafts, consists of the shiftable clutch collar 21 splined on shaft 10 and provided with clutch faces as'22 on eachside, and facing in the same direction, and similar clutch faces 23 integral with, or forming a part of, the hubs respectively of bevel gears 16 and 18.

A housing, or gear box, 24: is provided as disclosed.

The particular driving connections for the wringer that are designed to be directly associated with and supported thereby comprise bevel gear 25 fixed directly to oneof the wringer roll shafts; bevel gear 26 fixed upon a shaft supported in the bracket 27, the latter secured to the wringer frame, the lower end of said shaft being shown inFig. 6 at 28, said portion of said shaft fitting in either of collars a to establish a driving connection therebetween.

The wringer is applied for driving connections with either of shafts 14: and 15 by simply inserting the squared portions of 28 of the wringer shaft within either of collars a, the flanged portion 5 of the sleeve portion of bracket 27 serving as a stop in its rest upon the upper edge of either of said collars a. In placing the wringer in position for operation with either shaft 14 or 15, the other end of the Wringer, from that whereby the driving connection is established, is seated in brackets 7 and 8, and thus the wringer is held for operation.

Clutch collar 21 is shifted from either of levers 29 or 30, said levers respectively being pivoted at 31 and 32, and their lower ends pivotally connected by reach, or bar, 33. The connected levers described have connection with clutch collar 21 through lever 34, the latter fulcrumed, or pivoted, as at 35 to a part connected with the frame work, its outer end passing through an opening in lever 31, and similarly an eyein the end of reach 33.v The parts are secured in position shown by means of a cotter pin or other suitable means. The other end of lever 34 is furcated as at 36 and engages groove 37 in clutch collar 21,

lhe operation of the device is as follows:

The wringer having been placed in operative connection with shaft 11, and assuming that belt wheel 9 is driven in the direction of the arrow, and that clutch collar 21 has panacea may be thrown into a neutral position, at which time the wringer will be at rest.

Shaft 15 is driven through the same connections that drive shaft 14, so that when the wringer is operatively connected with said shaft it will be driven in either direction desired through the manipulation of the operator, preferably of lever 30, and it may in the same manner be thrown to a neutral position. Both shafts l4: and 15 are driven at the same time under all conditions. However, their relative direction of simultaneous drive may be difi'erent, depending upon the positioning of bevel gears 19 and 20; that is, if said gears 19 and 20 are placed in the relation shown'in. the drawings, then the shafts, under all conditions of operation, will turn relatively in opposite directions; whereas, if shaft 13 be extended and gear 19 be placed on the opposite side of gear 20, the shafts are run relatively in the same direction. This matter is for the choice of the builder.

In either of the connections as above specilied, that is with shafts 14 and 15, there isno different operation of the driving parts directly connected with the wringer, and hence no detailed description of the operation of these parts in the two difl erent posi' tions need be entered into.

Our experience in the course of an extended manufacture of Washing machines has taught us that any required movement of the wringer. support, whether it be on a sliding frame, a frame swingable about a vertical pivot, or about a horizontal Pivot, is obj ectionable, in that the movable parts in time lose their rigidity; that is, they become loosened and shaky, which leads, of course,

to repair and readjustment, and likewise the wringer and gear supporting parts from the normal relation to their gear connections out of normal mesh, and hence causes wear and the expenditure of additional power over the normal, and generally disqualifies the machine for the highest grade of eficiency. We seek by our invention by and through the fixed and immovable supports for the wrin'ger to avoid these disadvantages. It is a very small matter to simply lift the wringer from one position to the other, and generally is a more convenient method of changin its position, as compared with the plan to lowed out in the several types of machines heretofore specified. 7

We have herein exemplified in the drawings and specifications one form of embodiment of our invention, however, we are looking to the principle rather than to form, and deem ourselves at liberty to claim all forms in which our invention may be embodied that is in efiect and equivalency the same as we herein disclose. I

What we claim is: v

1. In a mechanism driving device, a support, an operating mechanism, a plurality of driving connections in permanent spaced relation upon the support adapted interchangeably to drive said mechanism, and means for operating said driving connections to drive the operating mechanism in either of its operative connections in reversed directions.

2.. In a mechanism operative device, a support, an operating mechanism, a plurality of members spaced apart and fixed in permanent positions relative to the support adapted for connection interchangeably to drive the operating mechanism, and means for operating said mechanism driving members .in different positions of placement in reversed directions or to disconnect said operating mechanism to allow it to be at rest.

3. In a mechanism driving device, a sup port, an operating mechanism, plural members for interchangeably driving said operating mechanism spaced apart upon the support in permanent positions, devices upon the operating mechanism detachably connectible with said plural driving members, and means for operating said driving members in different positions of placement in reversed directions or t disconnect said operating mechanism to allow it to be at rest.

4. In a mechanism driving device, a sup. port, an operating mechanism,- a plurality of plural members for interchangeably driving the operating device, spaced apart and each being fixed aS to position with relation to the support, and means for driving the mechanism operating members alternating in reverse directions in diflerent positions of,

' apart and having permanent position with relation to the support, a member upon the operating mechanism adapted for detachable driving connection with said shafts, and means for operating said mechanism driving, shafts alternatingin reverse directions.

"- 6. In a mechanism driving device, a sup ort, an operating mechanism, an operating evice, plural members permanently fixed upon the support in spaced relation adapted fordriving connection with the operating mechanism, a drive shaft having a constant direction of movement,,a reversible shaft driven therefrom and having a. driving con nection with one of said operative mechadriving member, and also a corresponding reversal or the direction of movement of the other of said operating mechanism dI'iViIlg members.

7. In a mechanism driving device, a support, an operating mechanism, a plurality of members for interchangeably driving the single operating device, spaced apart, and each having a fixed position with relation to the support, a member upon the operating mechanism'adaptable for detachable driving connection with said plural driving members, and means for operating the plural mechanism driving members each in an alternating reverse direction, comprising a drive shaft operable in a constant direction, a shaft reversibly driven therefrom, gear connection between the reversibly driven shaft and one of the operating mechanism driving members, and gear connections, on the other of said mechanism operating members, and means for operating the plural versibly driven shafts.

8. In a mechanism driving device, a support, an operating mechanism, a plurality of members for interchangeably driving the single operating device, spaced apart, and each having a fixed position with relationto the support, a member upon the operating mechanism adaptable for detachabledriving connection with said plural driving members, and means for operating the plural mechanism driving members each in an alternating reverse direction, comprising a drive shaft operable in a constant direction, a shaft reversibly driven therefrom, gear connection between the reversibly driven shaft-and one of the operating mechanism. driving. members, gear connections on the otherof said mechanism operating members operable,.both from the drive and reversibly driven shafts, and means to efi'ect reversal of the movement of said driven reversible shaft and the plural driving members for the op erating mechanism.

. 9. In a mechanism driving device, a sup port, an: operating mechanism, a plurality of members for interchangeably driving the single operating device, spaced'apart, and each having a fixed position with relation to the support, a member upon the operating mechanism adaptable for detachable driving connection with said plural driving members, and means for. operating the plural mechanism driving members each in an alternating reversedirection, comprising a drive shaft operable in a constant direction, a shaft reversibly driven therefrom, gear connection between the reversibly drlven shaft and one of the operating mechanism driving members, gear connections on the other of said mechanism operating members operable, both from the drive and reversibly driven shafts, means to effect reversal of the movement of said driven reversible shaft naeaeaa and the plural driving members for the operating mechanism, and means for wholly disconnecting the reversible and plural member driving connections for the operating mechanism from the drive shaft whereby the former may be at rest.

1O. In a device of the class described, in combination, a support, a vertical drive shaft in said support, provided with a seating member at its upper end formed for clutch engagement with an opposing member adapted to be positioned relative thereto at varying angles about the axes thereof; an operating mechanism including a liori zontally disposed shaft provided with a gear thereon; a vertically disposed short shaft alinable with the vertical drive shaft provided with a gear at its upper end adapted to engage the horizontal shaft of the operating mechanism, and fashioned for detachable engagement with the clutch member of the drive shaft at various angles of placement about the axis of said drive shaft, and manually removable therefrom, and a sleeve member suitably connected to the operating mechanism and supporting said short shaft and fashioned for seating upon the seating member of the drive shaft, whereby the operating mechanism may be lifted from its connection with the drive shaft and positioned at various angles about the axis of the latter Without the removal of parts or attaching means.

11. In a device of the class described, in combination, a vertical drive shaft, a combined seating and clutch member, at its upper end fashioned to seat and engage opposing members of an operating mechanism at various angles about the axis of the drive shaft, an operating mechanismincluding a horizontal shaft provided with a gear thereon, and means on the operating mechanism centered with respect to the drive shaft and seating member thereon, and adapted for detachable seating, and to establish driving connection between the seat and clutch members of the drive shaft and the gear of the horizontal shaft of the operating mechanism, but in a relation that will permit the operating mechanism to be lifted bodily from the seat and driving connection on the horizontal shaft and to be placed at varying angular positions about the axis of said driving shaft to establish drivin connection at such varying angles therea out.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

SIMQN E. SCHROEDER. CHARLES W.BIRD.

Witnesses:

H. V. SCHROEDER, HAZEL E. DAVIS. 

